Where has all my fruit gone?

[Cligereen]

I'm in a bad way! Something has bewitched my orchard this year and I'm going to have very little fruit. 2 of 4 eating apple trees didn't blossom, other 2 have about 30% of normal yield. None of my three plum trees blossomed (although I have been told that Victoria plums tend to fruit well only every second year - is this right?). There are no sloes at all in the hedges around the plot whereas normally they'd be loaded. No pears either. In fact the only fruit I will have is from 2 eating apple trees and 5 cookers. And to think I was toying with the idea of getting a fruit press this year!

I'm in the midlands of Ireland and last summer was diabolical. It rained here for 60 consecutive days and this spring was a bit slow in coming too. Could this have anything to do with it do you think? Other than the weather there have been no changes in conditions to the orchard at all. Any advice would be gratefully accepted in case I can do anything to improve the situation for next year.

Clig.

[Clara]

did you have hard frosts at blossom-time?

[contadina]

Both apple and plums trees require honey bees for pollination so a drop in their numbers would effect your harvest.

[Cligereen]

We did have a few late frosts, but the area is very protected so I don't think that's it. As for the bees...well it's true I haven't seen very many about this year, but some of the trees have some fruit, most have none at all. All very mysterious

[red]

we had a hard latte frost and have very little fruit set this year

[Cligereen]

Well Red, at least if somebody else has the same problem I've no need to panic. A right shame though.